Brushes/sponges/applicators are the second tools of trade almost every makeup lover acquires. First comes the makeup itself then you need to get the best of every application by using the best tools for each product.

It’s somewhat sad that many don’t pay attention to proper care and even use of the applicators. Depending on the nature of your makeup product (liquid, crème, powder), your respective applicators have a tendency to harbor harmful germs that in one way or the other affects the health of your skin and eventually your makeup application.

If you have a personal arsenal of these applicators, brushes and tools, it’s in your best interest to wash them weekly or every other week. They are your personal belongings and it is assumed that you use them about once or twice a day so the product build up won’t be so much on them.

But if you are a makeup artist, it is expected that your tools should be cleaned in between clients. Which means that once you are done working with client A, you MUST clean ALL brushes that have made contact with client As’ skin or use new brushes and applicators for client B.
This is a lot of work no doubt, but it ensures you don’t transfer any ‘unlikables ‘ from one client to the other.

So how do you achieve this? Washing your brushes can be a daunting task especially if you have a lot of them. I love to use my hair shampoo/conditioner and a brush cleaning mat for my tools laundry.
I simply run my brush under a tap without letting water into the metal part (ferrules), apply some shampoo to it, then scrub on my mat depending on the section (eye, face, rinse, condition). I also repeat with conditioner, rinse thoroughly and place on a flat towel to dry. Same goes for sponges.

I have also invested in a brush cleaner which allows me use one set of brushes severally without washing. I simply spray the cleaner on a paper towel and wipe the brush over it again and again until no product comes off it any more. This effectively kills any germs on the brush while wiping product buildup away.
I also love to use disposables (eye liners, lip applicators, mascara wands) as this makes things quite easier. Once used on a client it doesn’t get back into the product for any reason whatsoever so it doesn’t contaminate the makeup product. And I don’t have to bother cleaning it (have you tried wiping your mascara wand on a paper towel?) Straight into the bin!!!!

So when next you notice breakouts on your face, make sure that your makeup tools are not the culprits and also insist on clean brushes/applicators and no double-dipping when next you are sitting in an artists’ chair.

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There are 4 ingredients I’m so quick to look out for when picking up new skin care products👌. They are truly wonder ingredients as any good skin care product worth its salt should boast of at least 2 of them as part of its ingredients.

Hyaluronic acid: This is also known as sodium hyaluronate. This is one silent yet powerful ingredient which is not only good for the skin but also for the joints. Hyaluronic acid is found in the body as it serves as a great support to Elastin and Collagen which are the skins major support system.Because this ingredient is found in little amounts in the body, there is need for regular top-up either by topical application as in skin care products or ingestion in form of supplements. It attracts and binds water, basically providing hydration to the skin. This is just another way of saying that it is a great moisturizing agent.

Vitamin E: Most skin care products boast of having this ingredient because of its importance in maintaining healthy skin but what they are not so quick to disclose is whether or not the vitamin E in use is natural or synthesized.Now, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between natural and synthesized vitamin E as they are almost identical. But the body responds 2 times faster and better to the natural ingredient and most times treats the synthesized counterpart as toxin. This is to say that if your skin care product has synthesized vitamin E as one of its ingredients, the probability that your skin won’t recognize it as vitamin E is high.So, how do you tell the difference? Natural vitamin E is also called d-alpha tocopherol (and apart from being more pricy, brands that use this ingredient are so quick and proud to point out their ‘natural’ ingredient on the label) while the synthesized version starts with dl– instead of d- and ends with –ate or –yl instead of –ol. You may then wonder why it’s in use at all. This is because, synthesized vitamin E is extracted from crude oil and is cheaper to process whereas the natural one is extracted from vegetable oils and more expensive to stabilize (this also affects the pricing of the end product). Vitamin E helps the skin to retain its natural moisture which is indeed very good for those with dry skin types.

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Vitamin A: This vitamin is so potent that it is contra-indicated (not advised) in high doses during pregnancy because of its ability to reprogram cells.It reduces the formation and appearance of age spots and wrinkles.It increases blood flow to the skin surface and accelerates wound healing.If you prefer the natural ingredient, look out for beta-carotene. The synthesized version is called retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate. Using a night crème rich in vitamin A is a great skin care investment. Trust me!! It prevents acne by reducing sebum production (Oily skin types, where art thou?) It slows down the natural break down of Collagen and Elastin in the skin, making it an anti-ageing component.

Vitamin C: This vitamin is best used during the day to serve as a shield from UV rays.It is a required component in the production of Elastin and Collagen which firms and tones the skin keeping it from premature ageing and wrinkling. It is also a natural brighteners as it is good for fading age spots and freckles.

Something these 4 ingredients have in common is that they are anti-oxidants. This means that they are strategic in fighting and reversing the effects of minute chemical particles that damage all living cells.👍

So when next you are picking up skincare products, consider these four wonder ingredients as part of your arsenal.

Also don’t forget to check for expiry dates before making payments.

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Now that you know your skin type, how should you properly take care of it?

We’ve established that there are Dry, Normal, Oily and Combination skin types. What we didn’t include is that any of the above skin types can be Sensitive, but this cannot be determined by our paper towel test.

A daily skin care routine cuts across all skin types but the products involved may be different based on skin needs ie someone with sensitive skin MAY not use all the products that every other skin type uses but other skin types may comfortably use products made for sensitive skin. (hope I didn’t confuse you there)

A daily skin care routine may include

Washing: This could be with a facial bar or regular bathing soap. I personally prefer a facial bar as this is usually tailored to remove makeup gently without stripping the top layer of the skin bare.

Cleansing: An alcohol-free cleanser works well for all skin types as it doesn’t dry the face out. YES, you with very oily skin, an alcohol-free cleanser should be your very first investment in proper skin care (when alcohol dries out the skin, it exposes it to even more oil production which is NOT what you want).One product I’ve found very helpful in ridding my face of makeup is an eye makeup remover. Its so mild on the skin and effortlessly wipes water-proof products away. Trust me, your kajal, eye ink and mascara don’t stand a chance against this product. Simply wipe with a Q-tip dipped in this product and away they go. Try it with your matte lipsticks too, you’ll be amazed.

Use whenever you’ve applied eye makeup.

Cleansing is just to remove all the makeup that your facial bar couldn’t get to especially around the hair line. Apply directly onto the face and wipe of with a muslin cloth or towel. When used at night, you can skip applying in the morning.

Toning: Many people get confused with this process and to clarify the misunderstanding, a toner is first water-based. Then it is meant to soothe the skin while smoothing it out and tightening pores. It also prepares the skin for whatever follow up process you choose.*Tip: Refrigerate your toner 30 minutes before applying – HEAVEN!!!

To cut across all skin types, your toner should be alcohol-free. Apply with a cotton pad day and night.

Moisturizing: This is one of my favorite processes. Having a Day and Night moisturizer is truly a skin care investment. For dry skin types, this process is literally a ‘skinsaver’ (if such a word exists). It is best to use Day and Night moisturizers from the same brand as these usually complement each other.Then the Night moisturizer allows the skin to rest and recuperate while you sleep. Don’t leave out your lips as these get neglected most times.PS: Just because I didn’t mention the rest of the body doesn’t mean it should be neglected.

I also use an eye cream to moisturize the eye area and prevent darkness and bags around the eyes.

I love to use a Day moisturizer also as a sunscreen and makeup primer. This serves to reduce the amount of products I use on my face especially in hot and humid weather.

Now you know what a daily skin care routine looks like, tell me in the comment below what you are missing out or what you hope to add. Don’t know your skin type? Find out here.

Knowing your skin type is a first step to better caring for your skin. This is so you can use products specially made for your type of skin.

Finding your skin type is actually quite easy and can be done at home within an hour. Simply follow these steps,😁

Wash your face with your favorite facial bar. Dab clean with a towel. Do not cleanse or apply any other product on your face.

After an hour, using a single ply from your kitchen roll or serviette (this is preferable to the usual toilet paper because it covers the whole face at once), cover the entire face pushing the single ply of paper towel into the nooks and crannies of your face.

Remove the paper and observe!

Dry skin: your paper towel will remain the same. There would be no visible transfer of oils from the face to the paper.😒

Normal skin: there’ll be traces of oil transfer from the face evenly distributed on your paper towel. Evenly distributed ‘patches’ if you may.

Oily skin: you just can’t miss the oily display😝. You may literally have to peel the paper off your face. Every part of the paper that has touched your face becomes translucent (light can pass through it).

Combination skin: the forehead, nose and chin sections (T-zone) of the paper are translucent while the other parts have evenly distributed patches as in normal skin. Most women have this type of skin, not oily and not normal.

Now that you know what your skin type is, do well to source for products that would bring out only the best in your skin.😘

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Some weeks ago, it seemed as if harmattan was making a comeback. The cold and fog in the mornings was a welcome change but after a few days, we are back to this sweltering heat.

Here are 5 tips to keep your skin healthy even in hot and humid weather.

Moisturize: Yes! I know it’s hot!😓 But you have to keep in as much moisture as possible so your skin doesn’t get dehydrated. The key to achieving a balance is to use a light-weight moisturizer especially if you’ve got oily skin. Invest in a moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy and/layered which may clog your pores. The quicker the skin absorbs it, the better.

SPF: You may consider investing in a light-weight moisturizer with SPF 15. With this, you can remain protected from UV rays while avoiding layering sunscreen over your moisturizer, which may feel heavy.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking lots of water will guarantee you multiple visits to the convenience and/or sweating, sure😉! But it will also keep your moisture level stable and your physiological systems in good working condition which in turn translates to your skin.

Minimal Makeup: If you won’t be spending the most of your day in an air conditioned room, then there’s no point slaying your makeup look😁. Go as minimal as possible: a tinted moisturizer instead of full coverage foundation and mineral powder. Do make sure the moisturizer is tailored to your skin type!

Cleanse: When you are done for the day, it is important to wash off all grime accumulated. I like to take a warm shower 😋 before engaging in my night-time skin care routine which involves proper cleansing and moisturizing to get my skin rested and ready for a fresh bout of humidity the next day.

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